Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita, III announced that 26 year-old Cordero Cephus of Buffalo pleaded guilty, as charged, to Robbery in the First Degree and Attempted Robbery in the First Degree before Erie County Court Judge Shelia A. DiTullio. These are the highest charges for which the defendant could have been convicted had he gone to trial. In other words, Cephus did not receive a so-called “plea bargain” and was instead prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

On August 6, 2012. Cephus attempted to rob the store manager at gunpoint at a City of Tonawanda Rent-A-Center. The victim struggled with Cephus and fought him off, but not before suffering multiple head lacerations and a separated shoulder. Cephus was linked to the foiled robbery through DNA left behind on a hat and gloves.

On May 23, 2013, Cephus robbed $917 at gunpoint from a City of Buffalo Rent-A-Center. A customer obtained Cephus’ license plate number as he fled and provided it to the authorities. Buffalo Police quickly located the getaway car and executed a search warrant at the Cephus’ apartment, recovering the gun used during the robbery.

Cephus faces up to 40 years in state prison when he is sentenced on January 15, 2015 before Judge DiTullio.

The case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys John Patrick Feroleto and Eugene T. Partridge, III, both of whom are assigned to DA Sedita’s Tactical Prosecution Unit. DA Sedita stated: “Prosecuting this thug was made possible because of the alertness of citizens, the diligent investigation of police officers, and the expertise of our county forensic laboratory.”